Meet the Optometrists

Dr. Matthew Ward

Hello there! My name is Dr. Matthew Ward. Thank you for taking the time to visit our website. I have been practicing full-scope optometry in Des Moines since 2012, and was privileged to join Valley Eye Clinic in the Fall of 2017.

I truly love the work that I do, and am extremely passionate about providing the highest quality of care in the industry. I love meeting new people and hearing about their families, careers and hobbies. I've been blessed to have patients return year after year, each time getting to know them a little better and providing them with exceptional vision solutions.

I have made it my personal and professional mission to provide the most comprehensive up-to-date dry eye evaluation and management protocol for each and every patient. Having personally suffered from Ocular Surface Disease for over ten years, I know the frustrations and irritations that accompany chronic dry eye. My symptoms have ranged from eye grittiness and redness to fluctuating vision. I hope you will allow me to help you find a solution to your dry eye symptoms, thereby improving your quality of vision and life!

Originally from Ankeny, Iowa, Dr. Ward attended Dowling Catholic High School in Des Moines and Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska. He received his doctorate degree from The Ohio State University College of Optometry.

Away from the office, Dr. Ward enjoys spending time with his wife and four children, playing ultimate frisbee, weight lifting, and outdoor adventure sport.

Come see us today! From glasses and contacts, to the management of ocular health, trust Valley Eye Clinic to provide you with a personal and professional eye care experience.

Dr. Erik Kyler

Hello there! My name is Dr. Erik Kyler. I have been practicing full-scope Optometry in Iowa since 2009, and living in West Des Moines since 2010. I am excited and feel privileged to be joining Valley Eye Clinic in May 2018.

Originally from Indiana, I earned my bachelor's degree from Purdue University and my Doctorate of Optometry With Honors from Indiana University School of Optometry. During my time at IU, I had the privilege to spend 3 months focusing on primary care and ocular disease in a surgical eye care clinic in central Mexico. Upon graduation, I went on to complete a hospital-based residency program with an emphasis on the treatment andmanagement of ocular disease at Huntington VA Medical Center in Huntington, West Virginia. I moved to Iowa in 2009 to marry my lovely wife, Melissa, an Urbandale native.

I am thankful to work in a profession that I love. My training and background inspired me to devote my career to the detection and management of eye disease, as well as guiding my patients through that process. I appreciate having the unique opportunity in a medical profession to really get to know my patients and spend time answering their questions. Although I specialize in ocular disease, I have always enjoyed the variety that primary care optometry provides, seeing patients of all ages and backgrounds. Specialty contact lenses and myopia control are also interests of mine. I believe Valley Eye Clinic is the perfect match for me, offering the technology and setting to provide the highest level of care to my patients.

Away from the office, I enjoy spending time with my wife and two children, outdoor recreation, scuba diving, music, running, and cycling.